Water-raising connection for steam-generators



(No Model.)

W.BURNHAM WATER RAISING CONNECTION FOR STEAM GENERATORS. No. 394,824.

Dec. 18, 1888;

' N, PETERS Phnlo-Uthcgraphun Washington. 0.0.

UNTTED STATES PATENT CEETCE.

\VALTER BURNHAM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

WATER-RAISING CONNECTION FOR STEAM-GENERATORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,824, dated December 18, 1888.

Application filed February 21, 1888. Serial No. 264,808. (llo model.)

T 0 all whom it may conccrw Be it known that I, \VALTER BURNHAM, of Chicago, in the county of (ook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vater-Raising Connections for Steam-Generators; and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, andto the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification The object of this invention is to provide a construction in pipe-connections of steamgenerators whereby water of condensation and entrainment in the steam pipe leading to an engine or other steam-using device maybe raised to a height which may be above the water-level of the generator and delivered outside the generator.

In an application for patent filed by \Yilliam Irving, of Chicago, Serial No. 263,225, said Irving has shown and described a system of pipe-connections for steam-generators where by the water of condensation and entrainment is taken from a steam-pipe and raised to a point above the water-level of the generator, and thence delivered into the generator. The operation of his device depends, first, upon the presence in the descending part or leg of his return-pipe of a liquid column constituting an obstacle to the outflow of the contents of the generator through said return-pipe, and, secondly, upon the presence in the return-pipe above the liquid column referred to of a lowpressure chamber or space having steam-communication with the steamsupply pipe, whereby upon the condensation of steam in or its escape from said chamber steam bringing water from the steam-pipe rushes to the point of low pressure, and thus maintains a circulation from the generator outwardly through the steam-pipe and backwardly through the return-pipe to the genera-- tor. The liquid column in Irvings returnpipe, as illustrated by him, consists of abody of water in the delivery end or leg thereof, forming a part of the body of water in the generator and subject to steam-pressure from two directions. In the movement of steam from the steam-supply through the return pipe the water of condensation and entrainment is transported by the steam and delivered upon the top of the water column in the leg, and ultimately finds its way into the generator, for the reason that the water column in said leg will rise to no greater height from such accretions than is due to the difference in pressure between the generator and the low-pressure chamber or space in the return-pipe immediately above the water column.

It is the object of this invention to secure the same mode of action for the lifting of the water of condensation and entrain ment, while atthe same time securing the delivery of such water outside the generator.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which shows a steam-generator and an elevated tank, together with one arrangement of the pipe connections in full lines and a modification in dotted lines, A represents a generator in transverse vertical section, and B an elevated receptacle, into which it is de sired to deliver water of condensation and entrainment from a steam -supply pipe, C, through which steam is supplied to an engine or other steam-using device.

C represents a branch or continuation of the steam-pipe C, which maybe understood as being connected with a steam-engine or other steam-using device; and C a valve in the pipe C.

C is a check-valve in the prolongation of the pipe C, said valve being arranged to close toward the generator.

D, E, F, G, H, andlrepresent a pipe having a drainage-connection with the pipes C C, and shown in full lines as first rising at D E, then falling at E G, and then rising again to a considerable height at G H I. In the descending part E G'are located two valves, X Y, and at the top of the rising part G H the lat-ter has a prolongation, I-l, )rovided with a valve, H The ascending portion G H is intended to contain a column of water of such altitude as to balance the pressure of steam in the part D E plus a water column in the descending part E F G. This column in G H will be ordinarily of considerable height, extending, for example, to or above the top of a building, in the basement of which a generator, A, may be located, and on the roof or on a higher floor of which may be located a tank, B. This high water column Will require to be supplied in the first instance through the branch or prolongation ll of the pipe G H. lmt'orc introducing the water at ll the valve X should be closed, and after filling the pipe H the valve I'I. should be closed. Pressure being raised to the boiler closes valves X and Y, and by opening valve 0 starts the engine or steam-using device. i-kt'ter the use of steam through the valve 0* has become normal and the reduction in the pressure on the system substai'itially fixed, then open Y. By this means the pipes I), E, and F to Y become cleared of water, and that part of the system which I call the condensingchamber, (namely, E F to Y,) becomes charged with steam, upon the condensation of which in this part. of the system depends the results sought to be attained. When steam escapes through the valve Y, close said valve until. only the water of condensation and a little steam are allowed to escape. Then slowly open X, and such'watier as is in X (1 H in excess of that needed to balance the pressure in E I! will pass out at 'Y. \Vhen such surplus water has been allowed thus to escape, the valve should be entirely closed and valve X opened wide, and the system is then in full operation. The proper amount of water with which to charge X G ll being thus determined, only that amount need thereafter be introduced when recharging becomes necessary. If only the proper amount of water be introduced into X G II, the closing of the valve X before closin the valve ('1 will maintain it.

The vertical pipe F is intended generally to provide for the fluctuations in the position of the level oil the water column therein, as the same may be varied by a change of press ure in the generator or in the steam-pipe and its extension from the use or disuse of steam through the valve The space above the surface of the water in the pipe F is the low-pressure chamber of the Irving invention, hereinbet'ore referred to, and the water of condensation and entrainment in the pipe U will be carried upward through the pipe D E into the leg or descending pipe 11 in small detached bodies by the sweep of steam from the pipe 0 into the low-pressure chamber and will be delivered into the pipe F. Here itjoins the U-shaped.water column in F G H, ascending in the pipe 11 as it rises in the pipe F. Said pipe F is of sufficient length to provide for this rise of the water therein by accretion, so that the column in H will eventually overflow into the tank B. From the tank 1' the water may be witl'ldrawn. through the pipe B, having a valve, B If the effective column in the pipe ll has its lower end sufficiently above the water-line of the generator, the tank B may deliver the water into the generator by gravity-head. If not, it may be sent to the generator by other means, aided by what head it has, or it. may be sent to other points for other uses.

The cheek-valve (1, located at any suitable point beyond the sup irly-branch C, will prevent the water from receding toward the boiler when its pressure is reduced.

\Vhen the available space will permit, the upbend D E F G maybe omitted and the arrangei'nent shown by d i tted lines substituted.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, with a generator and a steanrpipe leading therefrom for the supply of an engine or other steam-using device, of a U-shaped pipe cormeeted with the steampipe beyond its engine branch or connection, the remote leg of which U-pipe is of sufficient height to contain a water column due to the pressure in the nearer leg, a discharge-opening at the top of the remoter leg, and a valve in the U.

2. The combination, with a generator and a steam-pipe leading therefrom for the supply of an engine or other steam-using device, of a U-pipe connected with the steam-pipe beyond the engine branch or connection, the remote leg of the U being of sutlicient height to contain a water column due to the pressure in the nearer leg, a discharge-opening at the top of the remoter leg, and a valved escapein the nearer leg.

3. The combination, with a generator and a stea1n-pipe, 0, leading therefrom tor the supply of steam to an engine or other steam-using device, of a prolongation of the steam-pipe having an ascending portion, D E, a descending part, E G, and an ascending part, G H, the latter being provided with a discharge opening at the top.

4. The combination, with a generator and a steam-pipe, C, leading therefrom for the supply of steam to an engine or other steam-using device, of a U-shaped prolongation of the steam-pipe having its remote leg of suitable height to contain the water column due to the pressure in the nearer leg, a check-valve in the U, a discharge-opening at the top of the remoter leg, and a receiving-tank arranged to take the discharge, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as myinvention I aitix my signature in presence of-two witnesses.

\VALTER BURNHAM. 

